Expressing Democracy: A Patchwork of Voices

Description

GVA Issues a Call for Art for a Special Project in Conjunction with Smithsonian Exhibit Coming to Brunswick, GA

St. Simon’s Island, GA, May 29, 2026 — Glynn Visual Arts (GVA) invites artists throughout Southeast Georgia to participate in a large format art installation – Expressing Democracy: A Patchwork of Voices – to visually express freedom of speech and the right to vote in America.

GVA is pleased to lead this project as part of a community-wide celebration in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street, Georgia Humanities, and the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA). The Smithsonian Exhibit, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, opens at the CCGA on November 1, 2026. GVA’s Patchwork of Voices will be installed in the Southeast Georgia Conference Center near the exhibit.

GVA Board Member Barbara Northrup and artist members Suzanne Scaglione and Rachael Padilla form the committee to oversee this unique project. A Patchwork of Voices will create a powerful work of art that is both communicative and thought-provoking – meant to spur conversation about rights, responsibilities, freedom, and patriotism in America through the lens of art and culture.

Northrup, who is a multidisciplinary artist, explains that the essence of this call for art is to allow area creatives an opportunity to visually depict civic historical events and duties, current affairs, or simply the idea of our democracy.
“We’re looking for new art created especially for this civic-minded art installation,” said Northrup. “You might be inspired by your own life experiences, your own thoughts, or something in history that has had an impact on you. Your art can be as personal as you would like to make it, keeping in mind that this project is apolitical.”

The call for art is open to all artists who are of voting age (18 years old or older). Works should represent an artistic vision of the role of an active, informed citizen. Works deemed vulgar or incendiary will not be included in the final installation. Artists do not need to be members of GVA and they do not need to have professional experience. Any medium that can be applied to or adhered to a canvas can be submitted for jurying. Each art piece should be 12 x 12 inches, 12 x 24 inches, or 24 x 12 inches and 1 - 2 inches deep. Accepted works then will be incorporated into a patchwork unit roughly 10 feet by 12 feet.

All submissions will be juried by a panel of artists. Details and specific instructions about eligible artworks for A Patchwork of Voices are available on the GVA website or contact Kari Morris, GVA Executive Director, kari@glynnvisualarts.org, 912-638-8770.